RAF 'Taylor' buoyancy flying suit

Code: S22660

SOLD

'Suits, Flying, Buoyant'. Size unknown but certainly not small. Yellow one-piece double breasted safety suit designed to give maximum comfort, buoyancy in water and a certain amount of fire protection - supposedly without causing too much restriction of movement of the wearer. Produced in a heavy 'aerocord' material and designed to be worn with a flame-proof kapok liner along with flotation pads in knee and breast pockets and in the collar. Internal braces relieved pressure on the wearer's shoulders from the weight of the suit. Press studs and quick-release zip fasteners promoted rapid removal in an emergency. The material is in good '+' overall condition. It has some small nicks and tears in places along with fraying at the ankles. None of this is serious and doesn't really detract. The suit is a bit faded but really quite clean. Yellow was chosen to aid visibility in the sea but was not the most practical colour for use within oily airframes. The extensive/long zips and other metalwork on these suits are prone to verdigris and corrosion but this one is unusually good with only minor verdigris on the belt eyelets and press studs. All zips are original, Air Ministry marked and in excellent working condition. The lining has some tears/damage at the shoulder/armpits but appears to be in reasonably good condition and the braces are present. One of the braces retainer rivets is missing. The label is present but completely washed out and illegible. This example is the earlier variant of the suit without a flotation lamp pocket at the waist. A good/good '+' example of what are now quite rare suits. Most that turn up are in very poor condition and filthy! Bulky and rather heavy. Stock code S22660.